Sailor's Demise

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

Well, here I am in Beaufort, North Carolina. About a month ago I was in Wrightsville, North Carolina, doing as I am at this moment--carefully checking the weather forecast. My plan to sail the coast along this route was cancelled due to a northeast wind as I headed toward Norfolk.Now, the night before I want to head toward home, southwest from Beaufort to Wrightsville, all forecasters are telling me the wind will be S/SW.

Pooey, I say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Even with 1-2 foot seas, chomping to weather on this coastal cruise could prove more work than fun; I'll, of course, check the forecast when I wake up. May your winds be more favorable. Not that I have anything to complain about after 3 great runs: (a) down the Chesapeake (b) from Elizabeth City to Cape Hatteras and than (c) from Hatteras across the Neuse River to Adam's Creek.

Honestly, I sailed about two hours yesterday under jib only (not the screacher and not with the main up). Only the jib on a broad reach with 3-4 foot swells and was comfortably doing between 8.2 and 9.6 knots. Well, it was comfy except when I would misjudge and take a wave square on the beam, than it was a little, well, glad I was on a tri and not Fast Lane (with all due respect), as the leeward ama digs in just enough to keep the boat from tilting,,,,,,,, It kept pleasantly surprising me,,,,,,,

Cheers to all, , , , ,
Marlene

[zeehag]

sounds like fun--all fun must have a work factor....fair winds to ye....